Bracket assembly for lifting an articulated machine

Abstract

A bracket assembly for lifting of an articulated machine at a centre point, the bracket assembly comprising: a first rigid bracket extending along a longitudinal axis and including proximal end portion for attaching the bracket assembly to the articulated machine and a distal end portion, and a slider bracket including a through-hole for engagement with a lifting hook, the slider bracket is attached to the first rigid bracket at the distal end with a sliding mechanism that is configured to allow for the slider bracket to slide with respect to the first rigid bracket along the longitudinal axis between a default position and a lifting position, wherein in the lifting position the slider bracket reaches further in a distal direction compared to in the default position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bracket assembly for lifting of an articulated machine at a centre point, the bracket assembly comprising:
 a first rigid bracket extending along a longitudinal axis and including proximal end portion for attaching the bracket assembly to the articulated machine and a distal end portion, and   a slider bracket including a through-hole for engagement with a lifting hook, the slider bracket is attached to the first rigid bracket at the distal end with a sliding mechanism that is configured to allow for the slider bracket to slide with respect to the first rigid bracket along the longitudinal axis between a default position and a lifting position, wherein in the lifting position the slider bracket reaches further in a distal direction compared to in the default position.   
     
     
         2 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first rigid bracket comprises guide rails that guide the sliding motion of the slider bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The bracket assembly of  claim 2 , comprising two parallel guide rails to enclose a width of the slider bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The bracket assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the guide rails are arranged at the side edges of the distal end portion of the first rigid bracket. 
     
     
         5 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , comprising at least one stopper plate arranged on the first rigid bracket to limit the motion of the slider bracket in the proximal direction in the default position. 
     
     
         6 . The bracket assembly of  claim 5 , comprising two stopper plates arranged oppositely inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein in the lifting position though-hole of the slider bracket is fully exposed so that the lifting hook can engage with the hole of the slider bracket. 
     
     
         8 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the slider bracket comprises a lifting handle attached to one planar side of the slider bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a slot in the distal end of the first rigid bracket that extends along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         10 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a pin arranged through a though-hole of the slider bracket and through the slot of the first rigid bracket, and a back plate attached to the pin opposite from the first rigid bracket to slidably attach the slider bracket to the first rigid bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The bracket assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the back plate engages with stopper plates arranged on the first rigid bracket to limit the motion of the slider bracket in the proximal direction in the default position. 
     
     
         12 . The bracket assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the back plate has proximally facing inclined surfaces that abut against a respective stopper plate in the default position of the slider bracket. 
     
     
         13 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the slider bracket is planar and rigid,   wherein the first rigid bracket comprises two parallel guide rails to enclose a width of the slider bracket that guide the sliding motion of the slider bracket along the longitudinal axis, the guide rails are arranged at the side edge of the distal end portion of the first rigid bracket,   wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a slot in the distal end of the first rigid bracket that extends along the longitudinal axis, and the slider bracket comprises a pin arranged through a though-hole of the slider bracket and through the slot of the first rigid bracket, and a back plate attached to the pin opposite from the first rigid bracket to slidably attach the slider bracket to the first rigid bracket in the slot,   the bracket assembly further comprises two stopper plates arranged on the first rigid bracket wherein the back plate engages with the stopper plates arranged on the first rigid bracket to limit the motion of the slider bracket in the proximal direction in the default position,   the stopper plates arranged oppositely inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the guide rails and the stopper plates are arranged on opposite sides of the first rigid bracket, wherein the back plate has proximally facing inclined surfaces that abut against a respective stopper plate in the default position of the slider bracket.   
     
     
         14 . A vehicle comprising bracket assembly according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the vehicle is an articulated compactor machine.